DRIVING TIPS
480
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicle±trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when
towing:
Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all
vehicle±trailer connections. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and connections. Practice
turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you learn the feel.
Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right
to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally
opposite to that when backing without a trailer.) Also, just
turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing
to reduce the risk of an accident.
Because stopping distance may be increased,
vehicle±to±vehicle distance should be increased when
towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow
at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the
vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid,
resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially
true on wet or slippery surfaces.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit
your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn
to avoid the need of sudden braking.
Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will
be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn.
Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than
normal turning radius with your vehicle.
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling
of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to
the rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being
passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your
vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip
the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but
gradually. Never increase speed. If it is necessary to
reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you
make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes,
your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires
considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget
the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room
before changing lanes.
In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical
charging performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission
must be ª4º position.
DRIVING TIPS
482
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy Ð just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving Ð but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the ªDº position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy.
(For details, see ªAutomatic transmissionº on page 403.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
Avoid engine over±revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic si gnals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a m oderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
494
40PY054
5Discharged battery
6Booster battery
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.
When boosting, use the battery of matching or higher quality.
Any other battery may be difficult to jump start with.
If jump starting is difficult, charge the battery for several
minutes.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery.
(This helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and
burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance interval
battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate positive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order (
1 23 4) shown in the illustration.
1Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
2Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red)
cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
3Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative
(±) terminal of the booster battery.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
495
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black)
cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point (e.g.
engine hanger) away from the battery. Do not connect it
to or near any part that moves when the engine is
cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury,
do not lean over the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch anything except the
correct battery terminals or the ground.
5. Charge the discharged battery with the jumper cables
connected for approximately 5 minutes. At this time, run the
engine in the vehicle with the booster battery at about 2000 rpm
with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
6. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at
about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.
7. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order:
the negative cable and then the positive cable.
8. Carefully di spose of the battery cover cloths which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
9. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked at your
Lexus dealer. If the first start attempt is not successful...
Check
that the clamp on the jumper cables are tight. Recharge
the discharged battery with the jumper cables connected for
several minutes and restart your engine in the normal way.
If the another attempt is not successful, the battery may be
depleted. Have it checked at your Lexus dealer.
MAINTENANCE
529
Battery
Check the battery condition by the indicator color. See page
608 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 571 for
additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 555 for
additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in
the ªHOTº or ªCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 572 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or smell
exhaust fumes, have the cause located and corrected
immediately. (See ªEngine exhaust cautionº on page 396.)
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim. Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check
that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive free
play or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position. For folding±up second and
third seats, and detachable third seat, check that the latches
lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
ENGINE
549
Ð IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug Ð Make DENSO
NGK
Ð Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
Ð ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Open voltage at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates
12.6 Ð 12.8 V Fully charged
12.2 Ð 12.4 V Half charged
11.8 Ð 12.0 V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed
with all the lights turned off]
5 A max.
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
601
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1SPARE10Spare fuse
2ALT140
Charging system and all
components in ªAM1º,
ªHEATERº, ªCDS FANº, ªFR
FOGº, ªDEFOGº, ªAIR SUSº,
ªAC INVº, ªSEAT HEATERº,
ªOBDº, ªSTOPº, ªJ/Bº, ªRR ACº,
ªMIR HEATERº, ªBATT CHGº,
ªTOWING BRKº and ªTOWINGº
fuses
3SPARE15Spare fuse
4HEATER50Air conditioning system
5AIR
SUS50Rear height control air
suspension
6AM150
All components in ªACCº, ªCIGº,
ªIG1º, ªFR WIP±WSHº, ªRR
WIPº, ªRR WSHº, ªDIFFº,
ªECU±IGº, ªTEMSº and ªSTAº
fuses
7TOWING BRK30Trailer brake controller
8J/B50
All components in ªP FR P/Wº,
ªP RR P/Wº, ªD RR P/Wº, ªD
P/SEATº, ªP P/SEATº, ªTAILº,
ªPANELº and ªPOWER OR
TI&TEº fuses
9BATTCHG30Trailer sub battery
10TOWING40Trailer lights
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
602
11CDS FAN20Electric cooling fan
12RR A/C30Rear air conditioning system
13MIR
HEATER10Outside rear view mirror
defogger
14STOP10
Stop lights, high m ounted
stoplight, shift lock control
system, vehicle stability control
system, electronic m odulated
suspension, rear height control
air suspension, multiport fuel
injection system/sequential
multiport fuel injection system
15AC INV15Power outlet (115 VAC)
16FR FOG15Front fog lights
17OBD7.5On±board diagnosis system
18HEAD
(LO RH)10Right±hand headlight (low beam)
19HEAD
(LO LH)10Left±hand headlight (low beam)
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
20HEAD
(HI RH)10Right±hand headlight (high
beam)
21HEAD
(HI LH)10Left±hand headlight (high beam)
22EFI NO.210Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system
23HEATER NO.27.5Air conditioning system